Installing solar panels on your roof can be one of the best decisions you make as a homeowner. The benefits are innumerable, and these amazing technological devices offer the opportunity to have security in terms of both your finances, and your home’s electricity. Additionally, they provide an opportunity to make your house, as well as your community, the host of an environmentally conscious citizen. As long as there is sunshine, solar panels take away the need for the combustion of fossil fuels and the emission of carbon dioxide. This factor alone should be of particular concern for citizens of San Diego, as climate science has discovered a link between carbon dioxide, global warming, and increased frequency of drought. San Diego is no stranger to the effects of drought, and most people here understand that everything that can be done to reduce carbon emissions should be done. Installing solar panels is one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions, and therefore, reduce the frequency of droughts.
However, the simple fact of the matter is that not every house, nor every roof for that matter, is a plausible candidate for solar panels. In addition to the problem of compatibility, solar panels are a major investment. The environmental friendliness of solar panels is a major benefit to consider. However, whether or not the money saved from using solar-generated electricity will outweigh to cost of installing solar panels is a crucial factor in determining whether or not solar panels are right for you. Our team here at Divine Home Remodeling has been installing solar panels for years, and over time we have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain maximum efficiency when it comes to using solar panels to power your home. In this article, we examine what we consider to be the two most important things we think you should consider before you take the plunge into having solar panels installed.
Is Your Roof Compatible?
Not all roofs are able to support solar panels. Whether it’s because of trees, nearby hills, or the simply the angle of the roof, some roofs just don’t receive enough light throughout the day to make installing solar panels a financially viable option. The amount of light your roof receives is obviously the most important factor when it comes to determining whether or not installing solar panels is going to be a cost-efficient decision. We strongly recommend that you contact our team of professionals to assess the situation regarding the amount of sunlight your roof gets, as it will be the main factor determining whether or not solar panels will help you save money in the long run.
Another major determining factor regarding whether your roof is compatible with solar panels is the structural integrity of your roof. Unlike the amount of sunlight your roof receives, this factor is not totally set in stone. Luckily here at Divine Home Remodeling, we’ve been doing roof repairs and replacements for over 15 years. If your roof isn’t completely suitable for hosting solar panels, we know exactly what will need to be done to make it suitable. Not only can we determine whether or not your roof is ready for solar panels, but if it isn’t, we can give you a free estimate for what it will take to make it ready. If you already know that your roof is in need of repair, it is definitely worth considering whether or not installing solar panels is something we can do to make your roof even better.
On or Off Grid?
Where your house is located will determine whether or not your solar system will be hooked up to the electrical grid. While there may be some locations in the San Diego area that are off-grid, the vast majority of homes here are connected to the grid. There are, however, many benefits associated with either situation. If your solar system will be connected to the electrical grid, you will essentially be sharing the excess electricity you generate with the rest of the community. There are upsides and downsides to that. One upside is that you will be eligible to receive compensation in the form of reduced electric bills from the local electricity provider. Another upside to this is that the contributions you will be making by reducing carbon emissions and generating electricity for your community will make you eligible for tax exemptions. This is a great upside, as it means you save even more money while contributing to the betterment of your community.
A downside of on-grid solar-generated electricity is that you don’t get very much control over the proportion of solar power that powers your home. With solar panels becoming more and more ubiquitous, solar power is entering the grid at greater and greater levels. All of this power comes into the grid, and is then re proportioned throughout the community along with the rest of the power generated by the local electric provider. With off-grid homes, this does not occur, however, you are totally on your own when it comes to generating the electricity you need to power your home.
Conclusion:
There are plenty of other things to consider before you take the plunge into getting solar panels installed on your roof. It’s extremely important to address any sources of energy inefficiency in your home in advance, such as energy loss through doors/windows, wall insulation, and heating/cooling appliances. Our team of experts can always make sure that these things are addressed before you install solar panels. Leasing vs buying is another thing you’ll want to consider, in addition to what specific type of solar panels you’ll end up wanting. Here at Divine Home Remodeling, we will absolutely do our best to make sure all the bases are covered before you take the plunge into solar panels. Contributing to environmental sustainability is one of our top goals along with making sure you have the most energy efficient home possible, so don’t wait to contact us!